Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Special Brownies Because I'm Getting Old!

I have a BIG birthday coming up on Friday. I'll be 30! To be honest, that number is kind of scary to me. I've always felt older than I am because I didn't have much of a childhood and I was always more mature than the kids that were my age. Even to this day, the majority of my friends are older than I am and I'm okay with that. I just couldn't relate to kids my age. When I was 18, I told people I was 19. When I was 19, I told people I was 20. It wasn't because I was lying, I just have always felt older than my true age. But now I am 29, and I want to stay that way. haha! I will NOT be telling people I am 31 once I turn 30. NO way!

So I am 29 years old for 2 more days and I am trying to make peace with my birthday (aka. Dooms Day!) I don't know why this number feels so different from all the others. I didn't feel that way when I turned 20. My aunt who is 51 says it's not a big deal and maybe when I'm her age it won't be because I'll be wishing I was 30 again. (Love you Letty :-P) All I know is that I'm entering a new age bracket and I have creaky knees. Seriously, I put Hayden down for a nap and quietly back out of the room and my knees crackle and pop like rice krispies.

I'm getting older old and while I want to celebrate with all my friends and family in a big way, I also want to just ignore it and hope everyone forgets about it. I guess that's not an option anymore though since I'm announcing it to the world here on my blog, but you know what I mean. I was also hoping I wouldn't see my first white hair until after I turned 30, but that didn't happen either. I just discovered my second white hair and neither of them were on top of my head! Think a little further south. No, not that far down, this is a family friendly blog. Would you believe I got my first white hairs in my right eyebrow?! Weird huh? I plucked those suckers at a rapid speed. If you ever see a picture of me and I only have one eyebrow, you'll know why.

And because this is a food blog, a quick note about these brownies. They're delicious and somewhat healthy. At least that's what I'm telling myself since I had one for breakfast. Right after I baked them, they were fluffy and cake-like, then the next day they became somewhat fudgy and more like a brownie. The zucchini adds tremendous moisture without tasting like there are vegetables in your brownies. You don't taste the zucchini one bit and if you have skeptical ones in your family, then just peel the zuke before you shred it and they'll be none the wiser. The addition of the chocolate chips don't hurt either. Oh and I forgot to mention, if you omit the chocolate chips, then you'll be left with a completely vegan dessert.

In a large bowl combine sugar, canola oil, vanilla, flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda. Mixture will be dry and sandy. With a wooden spoon add the shredded zucchini and stir until well combined.(The mixture will be thick and somewhat dry looking, just keep stirring until it's fully incorporated and brownie-like). Stir in the chocolate chips, if using.

Pour brownie batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the brownies are set.

Yum! I have never baked anything with zucchini, but I think I will have to try these! Happy birthday! As someone that turned 30 last year, I can tell you it's not that bad ;) Also, Hayden is adorable, LOVE the crooked grin!

These look delicious! If it weren't 95 degrees here today, I'd make them - but no way I'm turning on the oven in this heat!!

I'll say: the lead up to 30 is FAR WORSE than actually turning (and then being) 30. That last year in 20s was so rough. You feel like you gotta do a lot of fun stuff because you're world is ending when you turn 30, but in all it's just another day and new adventures come your way in your 30s!

Hey Monica, I am too fast approaching the same dooms day with so much dread I am trying not to think too much about it at the moment. But like you have always felt older than I am and have friends who are all older than me, people my own age just annoy me...oops!Well I just want to wish you a very Happy Birthday and I hope you have a wonderful day spent with friends and family.Love your blogLyndsey xxxfromhttp://lyndseylittletreasures.blogspot.co.uk

Happy birthday, Monica! 30 is a wonderful age (I loooved turning 30) and I'm promising you that the 30s are a great decade. You have a great marriage, a cute baby, a nice house and you're an excellent cook. It only gets better from here! (Take it from this proud 32 year-old mama to be!)

Happy 30th Birthday sweet Monica, your baby is about as cute as any baby could be..the brownies look and I am sure are yummy and nutritious with the zuchini in it..will be making it soon, you have had a tremendous year before your 30th a little trepedentious (sp.?) is just fine..Some people have old souls and young bodies, sounds like you, more mature than the others, get along with more mature people because had more responsibility than most, I lost my Momma young always been older in my soul than my actual age, now I don't care who knows I am 64 years young, get the senior discounts and look pretty darned good for 64 it is what is in your sould and heart and reading your blog I can tell you are loving, kind and considerate human being that is what counts in this life..Plus a fantastic cook and terrific WIFE & MOMMA...that is alot to be in this world of I like to think lost souls, you got it right alright, you are terrific, enjoy your birthday with your angel baby doll and your sweet hubby, love your blog...!!!!!!!!!!

I will join the chorus telling you that age is just a number and it is how you act, think and feel that is the measure of who you are. The joys in your life are what matter and look at all the wonderful things you create; beautiful little boy and the most delicious looking creations I see on the internet. Really, could your pictures be any more luscious looking? I think I gain weight every time I come here. :-)

These brownies sound heavenly. Even though I'm a diabetic, I still enjoy baking for my family, especially brownies! I love zucchini bread..so moist...so I look forward to making these as soon as it cools down a bit around here.

Your little guy is so adorable...love his smile. As for turning 30, you won't feel a thing, trust me. When I turned 60 in Feb., didn't feel any different! The only thing that can be a bit startling at my age is what I see in the mirror and what my spirit feels! LOL

You're so funny! Hope your birthday was wonderful. I turned the big 4-5 a few weeks ago, and that sounded WAY older than 44! It kinda kicked me in the butt, but it's better than the alternative as my mother always said. As for the brownies...yes please!

Hope you had a great birthday Monica! I feel the same way about getting older. On my birthday last year (28) someone asked me how old I was turning and before I could even think the words twenty-one popped out of my mouth. They looked at me perplexed and were like 21? Really? LOL! If that is not a sign of an age identity crises I don't know what one is!

Hi Monica. These look fabulous! I am always looking for recipes to sneak nutrition into my 11 year old son. I think he'll devour this, before he ever thinks there good for him!

You mentioned if we omit the chocolate chips that the recipe is vegan. I just want to inform you that unless you use organic raw sugar in the recipe it is not vegan; as when manufacturer's process white sugar (this is sort of gross, so be forewarned), they refine the sugar by passing it thru charcoal that has been made from cremated animal bones. Hope that didn't gross you out too badly. I personally have started using coconut sugar and agave nectar in my baking for health reasons. I also keep organic raw sugar in my pantry for when sugar is the only sweetener that will do.

Will be making; love brownies, chocolate and zucchini. Sounds like a win/win situation. Thanks for posting your recipe. As a senior at 73 years old I love every year I'm given. Each year I have a birthday I feel blessed and I have felt this way from waaaay back. Take those years and wear them like a badge of love. You are beautiful and your baby is too and sounds like you are "the perfect" mom and wife. I remember the children in my Sunday School class telling me after seeing my High School class album.... Mrs. B. you improve with age. I loved them for that. Here's blessings to you as you wear each year with pride.

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My name is Monica and I'm a stay at home mom living in central Texas. I like to cook, but baking is my passion. I am an (obsessive) collector of cake stands, cookbooks and bakeware. I make lots of yummy treats and often share my sweet creations with friends, family and anyone else who is willing to be my guinea pig. I have lots of recipes in the archives so I hope you'll stick around for awhile!

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